So far, I've taken five pieces of advice.
First piece of advice: Consistency between social media platforms is key. I updated my blog to look more like my Twitter, and Facebook profiles and my website. I've got tree branches, more consistent color, and style. What do you think?
Second piece of advice: Plan a blog tour with prizes, contests, and hashtags. I put up a note on Facebook, and a few people kindly volunteered their blogs. Now I've actually got to write some posts!
If you would also like to be a part of my blog tour, I'd love to have you. :) I can write a post, you can interview me, or other ideas that work for you.
Dates available:
3/21 (taken), 3/22 (taken), 3/23 (taken), 3/24 (taken), 3/25, 3/27 (taken), 3/28 (taken)
Please comment if you're interested.
Third piece of advice: It's important to minimize the number of clicks people have to make to find your book. Rather than just linking to Vine Leaves Press, I'm providing individual links.
TIME & CIRCUMSTANCE ebooks are now available for preorder!
$3.99 AUD (eBook)
Kindle AUS
Kindle US
Kindle UK
Kindle CA
iBooks | Kobo | Nook
If you want to preorder a paperback copy, that's available too.
$12.99 AUD (paperback)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
Chapters Indigo
Fourth piece of advice: It's also important to set up local events. I'm trying to connect with the local poetry community like I'm part of the kid lit community. The other day, I attended a poetry book reading. Sure, I hardly talked to anyone, and I left early. But I met a couple of nice poets, bought one of their books, found out from a bookstore how to order books for events, and took a few pictures that I shared on Facebook and Twitter.
Fifth piece of advice: Build relationships online, which I think I already have pretty much covered. I've been blogging since 2009 and attending writing-related events even before then. I've appreciated getting to know you over the years. Thank you for your support.
xo,
Theresa
Hey Theresa. I could add a couple more: Seek reviews (which I know you have done) and set up Pre-Order, which some authors swear by.
ReplyDeleteI only see a tiny piece of tree on the top of your page.
I would be happy to host you on 21/3. Those back-to-front dates are so confusing, LOL!
Hi, Denise. Thanks for the advice. I do have more items on my list--I just haven't tackled them yet!
DeleteThank you for having me on March 21 (or 21 March)!
Those are all good! I made my blog, Twitter, and Google+ all match. Blog tours are still effective. (I have March 27 open if you want!) As Denise said, look for reviewers and book bloggers. Not a lot of time left for them, but enough. Oh, and a Thunderclap. Set up a Thunderclap.
ReplyDeleteAlex, thank you for the offer of 3/27. I'll email you. Finding book reviewers and book bloggers is next on my list. I should've done that earlier. I'll have to look up Thunderclap. Thanks!
DeleteHi Theresa - gosh what a great hour you had ... and yes the blog I love ... wonderful. Sounds like you are getting organised ... and I see the extra ideas here ...
ReplyDeleteI can see your whole tree on the left-hand side as I type this comment ... I love the design ...
Congratulations and good luck - cheers Hilary
Hilary, it was a great hour. This is only 5 pieces of advice out of about 20 or 30! I hope to accomplish more in the upcoming days.
DeleteI'd love the have the trees mirror and left and right, but blogger doesn't offer that feature. Thanks!
Good advice. I like the third especially. Easy is best.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly!
DeleteIt's awesome that your publisher set you up with a marketing consultant. You came away from it with some great ideas. (Your head must feel like it's gonna explode!)
ReplyDeleteYour blog looks very classy, and having cohesion between all of your accounts is something I never would have thought of doing, but it's a smart move. More professional.
I just pre-ordered your book, and promise to write a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Good luck with it!
Susan, it does feel like I'm going to explode. I need a time turner to get it all done in time! Thanks for the nice words about my blog design. And thank you so much for pre-ordering my book and offering to write a review on Amazon and Goodreads. That's huge!
DeleteHow exciting! It's great your publisher set you up with a marketing person. You're on the right track. I love your trees and winter branches. Wishing you a fun, successful launch.
ReplyDeleteThe hour with a marketing person was a nice surprise. Thank you, Carol!
DeleteThe usual stuff, then. You can of course do a blog tour stop at Unicorn Bell. We'd love to have you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the offer of having me at Unicorn Bell, Liz!
DeleteHi Theresa! I saw your post on FB and intended to email you. Emailing you now...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nas!
DeleteGreat advice. I do like what you've done with the new look social media.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda. My blog was way too busy. It was nice to declutter!
DeleteAll good tips.
ReplyDeleteBookstores are sometimes the worst place to do a signing. Sometimes it pays to think about where your target readers hang out and go there instead. Plus there are other options like independent coffee shops, gift shops, etc.
Thanks, L Diane. Luckily, it seems poets do readings/book signings together. The last one I attended was at a brewery. :)
DeleteI would love to help you promote your book! Care to be interviewed?
ReplyDeleteThat would be great, mshatch. You're my first interview request!
DeleteThanks for sharing these tips, Theresa. (Hopefully, someday I can use them myself ;)
ReplyDeleteI would love to host you for a guest post on my blog. Message me on FB and let me know what dates are still available.
I hope you get to use these tips soon, Ruth. Thank you for the offer. I'll PM you.
DeleteGood tips! I like the trees too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jemi!
DeleteSounds like all great advice. Streamlining the pages looks nice! The trees look cool. Glad you were able to make the time for the Skype. :) Stephanie and I are happy to help spread the word on our Author Tracker blog. One of us will email you.
ReplyDelete~Jess
Thanks, DMS! Apparently--from my website and Twitter--I realized I'm a fan of bare trees. Glad Blogger had an option! And thank you for the offer. Stephanie emailed me.
DeleteThis is all great advice. I am crap at all of it!
ReplyDeleteJenny, I'd definitely rather write than promote. It's not easy!
DeleteHere's a perfect example of why your advice is good. You left a comment on my blog related to Twitter. I found you on Twitter. I saw on Twitter that you have a book that's going to be released soon. I found your blog. I am wowed by your book cover. And apparently a lovely book cover works on me, so I am likely to pre-order your book (which you made easy for me to do in one click) - this is intensified by the book-hoarding thing I have going on.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you on the importance of consistency across platforms. I think it gives the visitor to your pages a subconscious sense of comfort that they are not lost.
Tonja
Tonja, that makes me so happy to hear! I'm glad the connections are working. I'll write a Part II sometime this week to reveal what else I've attempted to do in the hope that it helps others.
DeleteHello Theresa, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I’m going to spend a very happy hour or so reading through some of your posts and will be back to visit again. Barbara
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting and reading, Barbara!
DeleteGreat article that you got accepted, I don't do Facebook though, so can't comment on it it seems. I just write whenever at my sea, mornings usually, but then nights too. That is when the 9-5 doesn't get in the way. Staying ahead of the 8-ball is key for me though.
ReplyDeletePat, thanks for trying to comment on the post. Glad you commented here! So many of us work around our day jobs. Yes, I agree, staying ahead is key.
DeleteFunny how good advice seems so simple. I learned quite a bit. Plus, I am amazed that you accomplish so much. Best wishes on your book launch.
ReplyDeleteAnn, much of it seems simple, but it still requires work. Sometimes outsiders see what we can't. Thanks for your nice words!
DeleteI see all the dates are taken, but I'd love to help out with your blog tour in some way. Just let me know if you can squeeze me in anywhere!
ReplyDeleteThose are great bits of advice. But *dang*, I missed the call for a book tour!! I could do some sort of book cover reveal advance hype post next week or on 22 March if you have time to put one together?
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